The Narmada Bachao Andolan is 25 years old. This historic struggle, which started in the Narmada Valley, has now spread to other parts of the country where people have come together to protect their homes, lands, forests and rivers-Niyamgiri in Orissa, Plachimada in Kerala, Singur and Nandigram in West Bengal, Khanjaulla in Delhi, Sompeta in Andhra Pradesh and others.

Although the movement could not prevent the building of the dam, yet it was successful in creating an opinion on the whole issue of dams within the development paradigm of the country. It is also noted for its adherence to Gandhian principles of non violence and civil disobedience.

From October 22nd – 26th, several rallies and public meetings were held to commemorate the Narmada movement. Expressing their solidarity were eminent social activists and environmentalists like Swami Agnivesh and B.C. Sharma (former commissioner for SC/STs), Ramaswamy R. Iyer (former Union Secretary for Water Resources) who lauded the courage and tireless struggle of the Adivasis for their rights.

The stories of courage, commitment and sacrifice of farmers, landless and Adivasis involved in the movement, have been captured in a book, Plural Narratives from Narmada Valley, which was released on the occasion